Meadows Physical Therapy Services

Feels like muscles are less tight, less stiffness, even in AM. Lower back pain is more localized – no more leg or ankle pain. Feel “posture” muscles are being strengthened. I learned important techniques in everyday activities to relieve strain. Overall, less pain, greater ease of movement, sleeping more comfortably.

I was able to stand for about 18 minutes without sitting. Normally I could only stand a few minutes without having to sit. Also, I went to the mall and was able to walk and not sit every 5 to 10 minutes. Normally I would walk-hurt-sit, walk-hurt-sit.

Since beginning therapy:

1. can do dishes comfortably
2. cut vegetable with less pain
3. yesterday took only 3 pills instead of 4 or 5 a day
4. drive more comfortably, can use left hand for left side indicators instead of using right hand
5. reach for things from shelves above my head by using shoulder muscles
6. able to pick up 5 liter oil cans with my left hand without pain
7. cook for a few hours without much pain. Hold things with left hand while cooking which I could not do before
8. lot of improvement in the last 4 weeks
9. I feel and look better

Since beginning therapy:

1. Sleep better
2. Neck movements much better
3. Better movement of left Arm/Shoulder

I’m very pleased with my progress so far. I feel that I am ahead of schedule. I sleep good at night with no pain and no pain management. I find that during exercises, I can control movement more fluidly and without pain.

Rehabilitation Therapy is exactly what my injury needed. Through the assessments, although very emotional, I was able to learn what movements to do in order to slowly but surely regain strength in the use of my injured shoulder.

Shoulder is about 80-90% back to normal. Little or no pain, when pain is present the level is around 4-6 on pain scale. Typically if lay on it or do strenuous activities is when pain is present. I see big improvements since starting PT after my surgery.

After two visits, my shoulder feels much better, more loose and less painful. I am very happy!

• Swelling has gone down considerably
• Much stronger than before
• Seems to be getting more flexible everyday
• Can almost straighten my elbow all the way (much better)
• I’m able to lift and carry things at work or around the house

I am able to lift item and elbow/arm doesn’t hurt. I am not wearing splint at work an am 40% better

Pain in other fingers almost gone. Middle finger is now bending most of the way and hand in total is now about 80% useful and at about 90% strength.

1. I can write better
2. I can press spray can
3. I can button slacks
4. I can zip up slacks
5. Open doors
6. Pain has decreased in last week

Since beginning therapy –

• Swelling has improved
• Pain is reduced
• Range of motion improved
• Am able to grip and hold better

I am able to use my right hand to:

1. Write
2. General light use
3. Lift
4. Squeeze
5. Pull/Push

In general, I’d say I have 70% use of the hand.

Yesterday, I was able to lay my hands flat on the ground on the side of the pool and push myself out of the pool.

Hand therapy has improved my thumbs situation in the following ways:

1. strength dramatically increased
2. only two triggering incidents since beginning therapy
3. writing is now painless
4. splints have aided in preventing locking of the thumbs (especially in the mornings)
5. no more clicking of the joints
6. overall much better

I feel that my use of my thumb and wrist are progressing. The use of them is better. I can bend the wrist a little better and I’m able to pick up small objects pretty good also. So I’m getting better gradually with little or no pain.

Since beginning therapy:

1. I can lift a gallon of milk with my left hand from the refrigerator
2. I have improved grip with left hand (i.e. carrying leash when walking dog)

Since beginning therapy:

1. I can hold hair brush to style my hair
2. I can hold a bottle while I unscrew the cap with the other hand

In the last 3 weeks my middle finger has improved and I can now better chord a guitar (still not perfect, but better)

Since beginning therapy:

1. blow dryer – able to hold and maneuver
2. able to hold and cut vegetables
3. pain improved – decreased by 70%
4. use of splint only outside or possibility of tripping
5. edema much improved

Since beginning therapy:

1. Using left hand to unload dishwasher – less breakage each time
2. Have learned to hold plyers in left hand which is helpful doing certain chores
3. Using left pinky when typing to hit keys like Shift or Ctr.

My swelling has decreased considerably. I have much more flexibility, with wrist and fingers, than two weeks ago. I can do so many everyday things, like tie my shoes, cut meat, do dishes etc. Also, I can pick up and hold clothing, jars, and books. My wrist turns to almost normal angles and my fingers bend much more easily. The tremors in my arm when I exert my muscles have almost disappeared

I am very pleased with the progress over the course of the visits. Specifically:

• Hip replacement. When I arrived I could not do the leg raise. Now I can do it with weights attached.
• Back pain. When I started the therapy, I was experiencing considerable lower back pain. The therapist has provided me with exercises that have reduced the discomfort significantly.

I have much less pain in my knee and much improvement in leg/knee strength. It is easier to go up and down steps and much less pain getting up from seated position. Overall, much improvement in last 2/3 weeks due to therapy.

I have more flexibility, increase range of motion, decreased swelling and increased confidence in ability to resume walking soon.

I have more movement in my knee. I have less pain when I move my knee and straighten my leg.

I have an easier walking ability now. Steps are easier to climb and descend. I get maximum extension of my left leg now and do not have pain on extension of the left leg.

First 2 weeks after my knee surgery was very uncomfortable for me. I had tremendous stiffness and pain in my knee and behind it. During physical therapy, it was painful for me to bend, lift and straighten my knee. Bike was very difficult and I was sore most times after my therapy sessions.

Progress so far:
I can now bend, lift, straighten, walk, ride and squat a lot easier. My pain level is very low and my stiffness is at a minimum. Walking with my cane is a breeze and taking showers is also very easy now. I believe I have progressed tremendously since my surgery and my therapy has helped me to reach this point in my progress.

I am seeing continuing improvement with both strength and balance of my right foot and ankle. I have little to no swelling except in overuse situations. I have improved mobility with minimal pain or discomfort. Balancing and sideways exercises seem to be most helpful at this point.

Since starting therapy, my left foot has improved. It no longer hurts when I first get out of bed. It will hurt when I do not wear shoes or wear shoes with insufficient support. The exercises I’ve been given have helped, especially the stretching with elastic bands and on the step. I’ve noticed gradual improvement over time I’ve been in therapy. I believe the ultrasound and especially the deep pressure massage have helped a great deal. The heat and ice I don’t know about, but I’m sure it is part of the program. I’m encouraged by my progress and I’m looking forward to starting a walking program again without hurting my feet.

I have enjoyed my therapy and have made lots of progress. My feet are a lot better. I have movement in my toes on my left foot that I did not have before. I can walk for short periods without limping (in a store like Target or Costco). The pain isn’t nearly as bad. I think that I am about 80% better.

My ankle is much better from pain of 10 to current pain level of 3. Also, strength of ankle has greatly increased in the past 3 sessions.

My husband had a stroke and Meadows was suggested to us as a good outpatient center. My husband is no longer are using a wheel chair and has started walking on his own. When we first started therapy at Meadows, I had 24 hour help because I could not handle my husband myself. Now, I have been able to take care of him and take him many places myself. Meadows will be recommended to others by our family.